User selectable shaped staple and apparatus and method for use thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention discloses a user selectable shaped staples and a stapler for dispensing said user selectable staples. The stapler has a replaceable guide housing assembly designed for the particular user selectable staple having components including a punch, die and guide conforming substantially to the shape of the head of the staple for driving the user selectable staple into a designated material, such as sheets of paper, selected for said fastening method. The staples are comprised of a head portion and parallel leg portions with the legs extending substantially perpendicular from the planar head portion and wherein the head portion is of a style depicting a form such as a trademark, company logo, a letter or symbol of any kind.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to staplers and, morespecifically, to user selectable shaped staples and a stapler fordispensing said user selectable staples. The stapler has a replaceableguide housing assembly designed for the particular user selectablestaple having components including a punch, die and guide conformingsubstantially to the shape of the head of the staple for driving theuser selectable staple into a designated material, such as sheets ofpaper, selected for said fastening method.

[0003] The staples are comprised of a head portion and parallel legportions with the legs extending substantially perpendicular from theplanar head portion and wherein the head portion is of a style depictinga form such as a trademark, company logo, a letter or symbol of anykind.

[0004] In addition the present invention provides for an additionalelement in the form of a kit whereby users having the stapler of thepresent can purchase a kit comprised of a different staple design of anycolor or shape having a plurality of said staple along with the matingpunch head, top guide and bottom guide for that particular design ofstaple. The kits would be available through retail outlets such asK-Mart, Apple, Stop & Shop, Macy's, King Kullen, etc. The kits can alsobe custom made for companies for any logos that they have.

[0005] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0006] There are other stapler device designed for specialized staples.Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 1,554,686 issued to Muth on Sep. 22,1925.

[0007] Another patent was issued to Havener on Aug. 25, 1931 as U.S.Pat. No. 1,820,224. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 2,473,253 was issued toPlace on Jun. 14, 1949 and still yet another was issued on Jan. 8, 1980to Sato as U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,474.

[0008] Another patent was issued to Yanagida on May 13, 1980 as U.S.Pat. No. 4,202,481. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,608 was issued toMitsuhashi on Nov. 7, 1989.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,554,686 Inventor: John Muth Issued: Sep. 22, 1925

[0009] In a strip staple machine, the combination with means for feedinga staple strip and means for severing and driving the individualstaples, of means for engaging a leg of the foremost staple on saidstrip and holding said staple against turning during the severingoperation, said machine having means for positively moving said engagingand holding means into and out of a position so to engage said leg.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,820,224 Inventor: Arthur R. Havener Issued: Aug. 25,1931

[0010] Disclosed is a holder and carrier for a riveting machine having,in combination, a slide, a pair of oppositely disposed spring arms fastto said slide and spaced apart, and a pair of oppositely disposed platesfast to the lower ends of said arms, the under faces of said platesbeing provided with grooves, which form a guideway adapted to receiveand hold a flat piece of material.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,473,253 Inventor: Desmond R. LaPlace Issued: Jun. 14,1949

[0011] The invention is an apparatus of the class described comprising amagazine for holding flat staples in face-to-face relation, the stapleshaving a head portion and two leg portions, means for moving stapleshorizontally one at a time from the magazine, and means for deflectingthe legs of the staple vertically by swinging them about an axis thattransverses the head, and means for confining the head in a horizontalposition during such operation of moving the staples and bending thelegs.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,474 Inventor: Hisao Sato Issued: Jan. 8, 1980

[0012] A stapler including a staple magazine loaded with conventionalstaples and a tag magazine detachably connected to the bottom of thestaple magazine and loaded with a stick of tags which are detachablyconnected to each other in a predetermined overlapping relationship inseries. When a lever is depressed, a staple driver drives the foremoststaple of the staple stick in the staple magazine into the foremost oneof the stick of tags in the tag magazine, detaching it from the stick,and further into one or more works so as to attach the tag to the workor works. In addition, various tags adapted for use with the stapler aredisclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,481 Inventor: Jun Yanagida Issued: May 13, 1980

[0013] A stapling machine adapted for use with a special configurationof a wire staple comprising a base plate having a wire staple receivingmold or recess in one end portion thereof an upright flanged portions atboth sides on the opposite ends thereof; a wire staple holding frame ina cylindrical configuration having a cross-sectional shape conforming tothe shape of an ornamental wire staple having a broadened center beamsection which is wider than the staple points or legs at both sidesthereof, and a leaf spring connected at one end thereof with the wirestaple holding frame, and the other end being partially bent in aU-shape to provide a repulsive force and partially formed into ahook-shape; a pressure applying member including at one end portionthereof a wire staple extruding member formed in a fork-shape to freelyslide into and out of grooves formed in said wire staple holding frameand a pair of upright flanged portions at both sides of the other endthereof forming a bearing for a shaft so as to be pivotally connectedwith the upright flanged portions provided on the base plate; and amagnet to attract and hold in position the wire staple placed in thestaple wire holding frame.

[0014] A stapler for use with sheet metal staples each having anornament joined to a bridge interconnecting a pair of parallel legs. Thestaples are bonded together to form a staple bar, with the ornamentsplaced in overlapping relation to one another so that the bridges of thejoined staples form an obtuse angle with each pair of staple legs. Thestapler has an elongate staple magazine which is shaped to accommodatethe ornamented staple bar and which is pivoted at its rear end on a baseso that the front end of the staple magazine is movable into and out ofengagement with an anvil or matrix on the base. Pivotally coupled toboth the base and the staple magazine, a handle has an ejector fordriving the successive ornamented staples out of the front end of thestaple magazine against the anvil on the base.

[0015] While these fastening devices may be suitable for the purposesfor which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for thepurposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0016] The present invention is a stapler for dispensing user selectablestaples. The stapler has a replaceable guide housing assembly designedfor a particular user selectable staple having components conforming tothe shape of the head of the staple for driving the user selectablestaple into a designated material, such as sheets of paper, selected forsaid fastening method. The staples are comprised of a head portion andparallel leg portions with the legs extending substantiallyperpendicular from the planar head portion.

[0017] The replaceable guide housing assembly is comprised of a housinghaving a retaining fastener whereby said replaceable guide housingassembly can be releasably attached to the stapler housing. Thereplaceable guide housing assembly has a vertical throughbore and alongitudinal throughbore. The longitudinal throughbore provides meansfor delivery of the user selectable staples to the vertical throughborefrom a stapler housing magazine. The vertical throughbore has a guidefixedly positioned therein by means of a fastener and receives the nextuser selectable staple for application from said longitudinalthroughbore having a plurality of said user selectable staplespositioned within a magazine having a tensioning member. Each of saidstaples attached to the next by means well known within the art forminga row of user selectable staples that can be inserted into the staplermagazine.

[0018] Positioned above the guide resident user selectable staple is adie fixedly positioned within said vertical throughbore by means of afastener. The die also has a throughbore conforming to the shape of thehead of the user selectable staple and has a punch traveling thereinconforming in shape to the die throughbore and head of the userselectable staple shape.

[0019] The punch is connected to a pressure applying handle by means ofa punch rod extending through a plate having a tensioning memberpositioned between said plate and the drive handle for keeping the drivehandle and punch head in the retracted position. The drive handleperforms the function of driving the punch through the die engaging theuser selectable staple head driving said stapler through the guide withthe staple legs engaging and passing through the material to be fasteneduntil said staple legs engage the staple legs diverter causing the legsto close under the staple head binding the fastened materialtherebetween.

[0020] A primary object of the present invention is to provide novelmeans for selectively binding sheets of material using a decorativemeans.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide saiddecorative means having a predetermined shaped image that may furtheremploy color, print, photoprint, graphic image, engraving or drawingthereupon.

[0022] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide saiddecorative means with a binding means.

[0023] Still yet another object of the present invention is to providesaid decorative means with a first binding element.

[0024] A further object of the present invention is to provide saiddecorative means with a top surface forming said first binding meanswhereupon said color, print, photoprint, graphic image, engraving ordrawing is displayed thereon.

[0025] A yet further object of the present invention is to provide saiddecorative means having a top surface with lancing means for penetratinga material selected for application of said novel means.

[0026] A still yet further object of the present invention is to providesaid decorative means having a top surface with a second binding meansincorporating said lancing means.

[0027] An additional object of the present invention is to provide saiddecorative means having a first binding element with a second bindingelement.

[0028] Another object of the present invention is to provide saiddecorative means with said second binding elements that lance the boundmaterial.

[0029] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide saidsecond binding element with a lancing means.

[0030] Still yet another object of the present invention is to providesaid decorative means having a top surface having second bindingelements positioned on each distal end.

[0031] A further object of the present invention to provide saiddecorative means having a top surface with opposing legs positioned onthe distal ends.

[0032] A yet further object of the present invention is to provide saidopposing legs extending substantially perpendicular to said top surface.

[0033] A still yet further object of the present invention is to providesaid opposing perpendicular-like legs having distal ends terminating inprongs.

[0034] An additional object of the present invention is to provide saiddecorative means having a top surface with said opposing legs formingsaid second binding means.

[0035] Another object of the present invention is to provide saidopposing legs terminating in prongs performing said lancing means.

[0036] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide adiverting means for said second binding element having lancing means.

[0037] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide adriving means for said decorative means.

[0038] A further object of the present invention is to incorporate saiddecorative means into a user selectable shaped staple.

[0039] A yet further object of the present invention is to provide amethod for using said decorative means of said novel means whereby afterselecting the material or materials for application of said novel meanssaid driving means engages said decorative means having a first bindingmeans and a second binding means with a lancing means wherein saidlancing means lances the material before engaging said diverting meanswhich diverts the second binding means coparallel with said firstbinding means thereby clamping the material between said first andsecond binding means.

[0040] Another primary object of the present invention is to provide anapparatus for the use of said decorative means.

[0041] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide astapler having a removable guide housing.

[0042] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide astapler having a user selectable staple and a removable guide housingfor driving said staple into a material selected for fastening.

[0043] A further object of the present invention is to provide a guidehousing having a first throughbore providing means for delivering aplurality of staples to the drive mechanism and a second throughboreproviding means for housing the drive mechanism.

[0044] A yet further object of the present invention is to provide aguide housing having a bottom guide for receiving staples prior toapplication with said bottom guide having a throughbore conforming inshape to the stapler head.

[0045] A still yet further object of the present invention is to providea bottom guide removably fastened to the guide housing by means of afastener.

[0046] An additional object of the present invention is to provide abottom guide housing fixedly positioned with the second or verticalthroughbore forming an element of the guide housing.

[0047] Another object of the present invention is to provide a top guideremovably fastened to the guide housing by means of a fastener.

[0048] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a topguide fixedly positioned within the second/vertical throughbore forminganother element of the guide housing.

[0049] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide atop guide having a throughbore conforming substantially to the shape ofthe staple head.

[0050] A further object of the present invention is to provide a punchhead positioned within the second/vertical throughbore forming anotherelement of the guide housing.

[0051] A yet further object of the present invention is to provide apunch head having a shape conforming to the shape of the stapler head.

[0052] A still yet further object of the present invention is to providea punch head that travels through the top guide when pressure is appliedto the operative handle.

[0053] A still yet further object of the present invention is to providea punch head that engages the staple head and causes said staple totravel through the bottom guide engaging the material to be stapled,passing through said material before having the staple legs deformedinto a closed position by the stapler leg diverter element.

[0054] An additional object of the present invention is to provide apunch head operatively connected to the pressure apply handle by meansof a punch rod.

[0055] Another object of the present invention is to provide means forreturning the pressure applying handle and attached punch head to theretracted position after a force has been applied thereto.

[0056] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide meansfor purchasing additional user selectable staples of varying designs.

[0057] Still yet another object of the present invention is to providean interchangeable stapler kit having a user selectable staple, punchhead, top guide and bottom guide that can be purchased separately.

[0058] A further object of the present invention is to provide a customstapling system comprising a unique stapler, interchangeable staple kit,and user selectable decorative staples for personal or industry use,available in any color, metal shape, logo or graphic image.

[0059] Additional objects of the present invention will appear as thedescription proceeds.

[0060] The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior artby providing a stapler for dispensing user selectable staples. Thestapler has a replaceable guide housing assembly designed for aparticular user selectable staple having components conforming to theshape of the head of the staple for driving the user selectable stapleinto a designated material, such as sheets of paper, selected for saidfastening method. The staples are comprised of a head portion andparallel leg portions with the legs extending substantiallyperpendicular from the planar head portion and wherein the head portionis of a style depicting a form such as a trademark, company logo, aletter or symbol of any kind.

[0061] The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear fromthe description to follow. In the description reference is made to theaccompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shownby way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention maybe practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detailto enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it isto be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and thatstructural changes may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention. In the accompanying drawing, like reference charactersdesignate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

[0062] The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be takenin a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is bestdefined by the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWINGS

[0063]10 stapling apparatus

[0064]12 stapler housing

[0065]14 stapler housing pivot point

[0066]15 stapler housing fastener aperture

[0067]16 stapler magazine

[0068]18 stapler housing base

[0069]20 stapler housing diverter

[0070]22 user selectable staple

[0071]22A user selectable shaped staple

[0072]22B user selectable shaped staple

[0073]22C user selectable shaped staple

[0074]22D user selectable shaped staple

[0075]22E user selectable shaped staple having indicia

[0076]24 user selectable staple top surface

[0077]26 user selectable staple image

[0078]28 user selectable staple legs

[0079]30 user selectable staple lancing element

[0080]32 user selectable staple prongs

[0081]34 guide housing assembly

[0082]35 guide housing

[0083]36 stapler guide housing retaining fastener

[0084]37 guide housing fastener throughbore

[0085]38 guide housing guide fastener

[0086]40 guide housing die fastener

[0087]42 guide housing vertical throughbore

[0088]44 guide housing longitudinal throughbore

[0089]46 guide housing drive threaded bore

[0090]48 guide housing guide

[0091]48A guide housing shaped guide

[0092]48B guide housing shaped guide

[0093]48C guide housing shaped guide

[0094]50 guide housing guide bore

[0095]52 guide housing guide interior wall

[0096]54 guide housing guide exterior wall

[0097]56 guide housing die

[0098]56A guide housing shaped die

[0099]56B guide housing shaped die

[0100]56E guide housing shaped die

[0101]58 guide housing die bore

[0102]60 guide housing die interior wall

[0103]62 guide housing die exterior wall

[0104]64 guide housing punch

[0105]64A guide housing selectable shaped punch

[0106]64B guide housing selectable shaped punch

[0107]64C guide housing selectable shaped punch

[0108]66 guide housing punch exterior surface

[0109]68 guide housing punch rod

[0110]70 guide housing punch rod fastener

[0111]72 guide housing punch rod drive fastener

[0112]74 guide housing drive plate fastener

[0113]76 guide housing drive plate

[0114]78 guide housing drive return spring

[0115]80 guide housing drive handle

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0116] In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it willnow be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanyingdrawing in which:

[0117]FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of the present invention in use.

[0118]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the present invention.

[0119]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present

[0120]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the present invention.

[0121]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention.

[0122]FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of the present invention.

[0123]FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of the present invention.

[0124]FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of the present invention.

[0125]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the selectable shaped staple.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0126] The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment ofthe invention. This discussion should not be construed, however, aslimiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitionersskilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well.For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader isdirected to appended claims.

[0127] Referring to FIG. 1, shown is an illustrative view of the presentinvention in use. The apparatus 10 is comprised of a housing 12 having abase 18 and pivot point 14 wherein the staples contained in magazine 16are moved by a tensioning member into the guide housing assembly 34fastened to housing 12 by stapler guide housing retaining fastener36.Pressure placed upon handle 80 cause the housing to pivot upon pivotpoint 14 driving user selectable staple 22 through the material to beingbound 21 until the user selectable staple 22 encounter the staplehousing diverter 20 thereby binding the selected material 21.

[0128] The stapling apparatus 10 has a guide housing 34 that includesguide rod 68, punch 64, die 56, and guide 48. With the exception of theguide rod 68 each of the aforementioned has a shape that is designed toaccommodate the user selectable staple 22.

[0129] For illustrative purposes three different staples 22 are shownwith their accompanying components that are uniquely designed toaccommodate the user selectable staple 22. The user selectable staple22A has a guide 48A for receiving the next available stapler frommagazine 16. Positioned above guide 48A is die 56A having a throughbore58 conforming to the user selectable shaped staple 22A. Positionedwithin throughbore 58 is guide housing selectable shaped punch 64Ahaving a punch exterior surface 66 that conforms and substantiallyengages die interior wall 60. Once pressure is applied to guide rod 68punch 64A advances along throughbore 58 of die 56A engaging top surface24 of staple 22A causing the staple to pass into the guide throughboreand into the material 21 to be bound.

[0130] The user selectable staple 22B has a guide 48B for receiving thenext available stapler from magazine 16. Positioned above guide 48B isdie 56B having a throughbore 58 conforming to the user selectable shapedstaple 22B. Positioned within throughbore 58 is guide housing selectableshaped punch 64B having a punch exterior surface 66 that conforms andsubstantially engages die interior wall 60. Once pressure is applied toguide rod 68 punch 64B advances along throughbore 58 of die 56B engagingtop surface 24 of staple 22B causing the staple to pass into the guidethroughbore 50 and into the material 21 to be bound whereupon staplelegs 28 having lancing element 30 including prong 32 pierces material 21until engaging the stapler diverter element 20 whereupon material 21 isclamped between top surface 24 of user selectable staple 22B and staplelegs 28 of user selectable staple 22B.

[0131] Also shown is user selectable staple 22C having a guide 48C forreceiving the next available stapler from magazine 16. Positioned aboveguide 48C is die 56C having a throughbore 58 conforming to the topsurface 24 of user selectable shaped staple 22C and having positionedtherein selectable shaped punch 64C having a punch exterior surface 66that conforms and substantially engages die interior wall 60 of die 56C.Once pressure is applied to guide rod 68 punch 64C advances alongthroughbore 58 of die 56C engaging top surface 24 of staple 22C causingthe staple to pass into the guide throughbore whereupon continuedpressure staple 22C will pierce one or more sheets of material 21causing said material 21 to be clamped between top surface 24 of staple22C and legs 28 of staple 22C.

[0132] Referring to FIG. 2, shown is a block diagram of the guidehousing assembly 34 having a user selectable staple 22 therein. Theguide housing assembly 34 has a handle 80 for apply pressure to theassembly to drive the user selectable staple 22 having a lancing elementinto the material to be bound. The handle 80 is connected to the punch64 by means of punch rod 68. The punch 64 has a predetermined shapeconforming to the top surface of the selectable shaped staple 22. Eachpunch 64 has a mating die 62 having a throughbore 58 and walls 60 whichsubstantially conform and engage wall 66 of punch 64. Positioned belowdie 62 is guide 48 that is used to receive the next available staple 22from the stapler magazine. Once pressure is applied to handle 80 punch64 passes through die 62 and engages the top surface of staple 22positioned with guide 48. Continued pressure causes punch 64 to movestaple 22 through guide 48 until the staple legs engage the staplerdiverter member which channels the legs under the staple top surfacebinding the material therebetween.

[0133] Referring to FIG. 3, shown is a perspective view of the presentinvention The stapling apparatus 10 is comprised of a housing 12 havinga base 18 and pivot point 14 and a staple magazine 16 for delivering astick of user selectable shaped staples to the guide housing assembly.The guide housing assembly 34 is releasably fastened to the staplerhousing 12 by means of fastener 36 whereby guide housing assembly 34 canbe selectively removed for attachment of an alternate guide housingassembly providing means for using an alternate user selectable shapedstaple 22.

[0134] In addition to replacing guide housing assembly 34 by removal ofthe stapler guide housing retaining fastener 36, specific componentswithin the guide housing assembly 34 manufactured having a specificshape conforming to the top surface of the user selectable shaped staple22 can be replaced by alternate components specifically manufactured foran alternate user selectable shaped staple 22.

[0135] Referring to FIG. 4, shown is an exploded view of the presentinvention for a user selectable shaped staple. The stapling apparatus 10is comprised of a housing 12 having a base 18 and pivot point 14 havinga stapler guide housing retaining fastener 36 for releasably fasteningguide housing assembly 34 to said stapler housing. The guide housing 34includes handle 80, guide housing drive return spring 78. Plate 76,guide rod 68, punch 64, die 56, guide 48 and guide housing 35. Punch 64,die 56, and guide 48 are manufactured with a specific shape for use witha specific user selectable shaped staple.

[0136] The user selectable staple 22B has a guide 48B for receiving thenext available stapler from the stapler magazine. Positioned above guide48B is die 56B having a throughbore 58 conforming to the user selectableshaped staple 22B. Positioned within throughbore 58 is guide housingselectable shaped punch 64B having a punch exterior surface 66 thatconforms and substantially engages die interior wall 60. Once pressureis applied to guide rod 68 punch 64B advances along throughbore 58 ofdie 56B engaging top surface 24 of staple 22B causing the staple to passinto the guide throughbore 50 and into the material selected forstapling. Staple legs 28 having lancing element 30 including prong 32pierces the selected material until engaging the stapler diverterelement 20 whereupon the selected material is clamped between topsurface 24 of user selectable staple 22B and staple legs 28 of userselectable staple 22B.

[0137] As previously stated, in addition to replacing guide housingassembly 34 by removal of the stapler guide housing retaining fastener36 from stapler housing fastener aperture 15 and guide housing fastenerthroughbore 37, the specific components guide housing punch 64, guidehousing die 56 and guide housing guide 48 within the guide housingassembly 34 can be replace with alternate components manufactured for analternate user selectable shaped staple 22.

[0138] This provides a method whereby the guide housing punch 64, guidehousing die 56, guide housing guide 48 can be sold as a kit which mayinclude the alternate user selectable shaped staple designed for saidcomponents.

[0139] Referring to FIG. 5, shown is a perspective view of the presentinvention. The stapling apparatus 10 has a housing 12 with staplemagazine 16 contained therein having a tensioning member for moving userselectable shaped staple 22 b into guide housing assembly 34 fastened tohousing 12 by stapler guide housing retaining fastener 36.

[0140] Referring to FIG. 6, shown is a partial sectional view of thepresent invention. The stapling apparatus 10 has a housing 12 withstaple magazine 16 for moving user selectable shaped staple 22 intoguide housing guide 48 The guide housing 34 is comprised of handle 80,plate 76 with guide housing drive return spring 78 positionedtherebetween. Guide rod 68 connects handle 80 to punch 64 that travelsin the throughbore of die 56 engaging user selectable staple 22positioned within guide 48.

[0141] Referring to FIG. 7, shown is a partial sectional view of thepresent invention having pressure applied to handle 80 cause the punch64 to engage user selectable shaped staple 22 moving said staple intothe throughbore 50 of guide housing guide 48.

[0142] Referring to FIG. 8, shown is a partial sectional view of thepresent invention. The stapling apparatus 10 has a housing 12 withstaple magazine 16 for moving user selectable shaped staple 22 intoguide housing guide 48 The guide housing 34 is comprised of handle 80,plate 76 with guide housing drive return spring 78 positionedtherebetween. Guide rod 68 connects handle 80 to punch 64 that travelsin the throughbore of die 56 engaging user selectable staple 22positioned within guide 48 to travel into throughbore 50 of guide 48before lancing the material to be stapled whereupon staple legs 28 arechanneled by stapler housing diverter 20 causing the material to beclamped between top surface 24 and staple legs 28 of user selectableshaped staple 22.

[0143] Referring to FIG. 9, shown is the user selectable shaped staplerof the present invention 22 shown illustrated in alternate embodiments22B, 22D and 22E. Each has a top surface 24 and stapler image 26. Withuser selectable shaped staple 22E having indicia thereon. Userselectable shaped staple 22 has a pair of legs 28 positioned at eachdistal end of top surface 24 and extending perpendicularly therefrom.The legs 28 having lancing elements 30 terminating in prongs 32 forpiercing a predetermined material selected for stapling using the userselectable shaped staple 22.

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters patent isset forth in the appended claims:
 1. A stapler comprising: a. a staplerhousing having a magazine for receiving a plurality of user selectableshaped staples; b. a guide housing assembly for receiving the next userselectable shaped staple and driving said staple into a materialselected for stapling; and c. a fastener for removably attaching saidguide housing assembly to said stapler housing.
 2. The device as recitedin claim 1, wherein said stapler housing includes a diverter element fordirecting the staple leg members into the interior of the staple afterpiercing the material to be stapled.
 3. The device as recited in claim1, wherein said magazine further includes a tensioning member foradvancing the user selectable stapes into the guide housing assembly. 4.The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the throughbore of themagazine is in alignment with the receiving throughbore of the guidehousing assembly.
 5. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein saidstapler housing is comprised of a stationary base and a magazine housinghaving a fastener positioned therebetween whereby said magazine housingis pivotal by said fastener.
 6. The device as recited in claim 1,wherein said stapler housing includes spaced apart tabs forming adocking port for said guide housing assembly.
 7. The device as recitedin claim 6, wherein said fastener extends between said tabs passingthrough a throughbore within said guide housing assembly whereby saidguide housing assembly is fixedly attached to said stapler housing. 8.The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said guide housing assembly iscomprised of: a. a guide housing; b. guide; c. die; d. punch; e. punchrod; f. plate; g. return spring; and h. handle.
 9. The device as recitedin claim 8, wherein the guide housing has a longitudinal throughboreforming a conduit for the transfer of staples from the staple magazine.10. The device as recited in claim 9, further comprising a verticalthroughbore for mounting the drive mechanism for the user selectableshaped staple.
 11. The device as recited in claim 8, wherein said guidehas spaced apart sidewalls connected by a front wall and having a basetherebetween.
 12. The device as recited in claim 11, wherein the guidebase has a throughbore conforming substantially to the shape of the topsurface of the user selectable shaped staple.
 13. The device as recitedin claim 12, wherein said guide is fixedly positioned within said guidehousing by means of a fastener.
 14. The device as recited in claim 13,wherein said guide receives a user selectable staple from the staplermagazine.
 15. The device as recited in claim 8, wherein said die has atop surface and a bottom surface spaced apart by walls.
 16. The deviceas recited in claim 15, wherein said die has a throughbore passingbetween said top surface and said bottom surface and wherein saidthroughbore conforms substantially to the shape of the top surface ofthe user selectable shaped staple.
 17. The device as recited in claim16, wherein said die is fixedly positioned within the guide housing bymeans of a fastener.
 18. The device as recited in claim 17, wherein saiddie is positioned above the guide within said guide housing.
 19. Thedevice as recited in claim 8, wherein said punch has spaced apart topsurface and bottom surface and body conforming substantially to the topsurface shape of the user selectable shaped staple.
 20. The device asrecited in claim 19, wherein said punch resides within the throughboreof said die.
 21. The device as recited in claim 20, wherein said punchtop surface has means for attachment of a fastener.
 22. The device asrecited in claim 8, wherein said punch, said die and said guide formreplaceable elements within said guide housing which can be sold as akit for use with alternate user selectable shaped staples when the punchand throughbores of the die and guide conform to the top surface shapeof said alternate user selectable shaped staple.
 23. The device asrecited in claim 8, wherein said plate is fastened over the verticalthroughbore of the guide housing having a throughbore passingtherethrough.
 24. The device as recited in claim 8, wherein said handlehas a top surface for apply pressure thereto and a bottom surface havingmeans for attachment of a fastener.
 25. The device as recited in claim8, wherein said punch rod forms a connecting member between said punchand said handle.
 26. The device as recited in claim 8, wherein saidreturn spring forms a connection between said handle and said platehaving said punch rod passing therethrough.
 27. The device as recited inclaim 8, wherein said components form the drive mechanism whereby saiduser selectable staples can be used to bind a plurality of sheet of apredetermined material.
 28. The device as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid guide housing assembly has component parts specifically shaped toconform to the top surface shape of the user selectable shaped staple.29. The device as recited in claim 28, wherein said replacement of saidguide housing assembly with an alternate guide housing assembly providesmeans for using an alternate user selectable shaped staple.
 30. Thedevice as recited in claim 29, wherein the guide housing assembly havinga punch in the form of the top surface of a user selectable staple and adie and guide having throughbores in the form of the top surface of saiduser selectable shaped staple can be replaced with alternate punch, dieand guide conforming in shape to a predetermined alternate userselectable shaped staple whereby said alternate components and saidalternate staple can form a kit providing means for using said alternateuser selectable shaped staple.
 31. A method for binding a plurality of apredetermined material using a user selectable staple comprising: a. auser selectable staple having a top surface and perpendicular legsextend perpendicularly from the distal ends of said top surface; b. astapler housing having means for receiving a plurality of userselectable shaped staples; c. a guide housing assembly providing meansfor receiving the next available user selectable staple and means fordriving said staple into a predetermined material selected for stapling;and d. means for releasably fastening said guide housing assembly tosaid stapler housing.
 32. The method as recited in claim 31, whereinsaid stapler housing provides means for channeling said user selectableshaped staple legs under the body of said user selectable shaped stapleafter lancing the material to be bound thereby clamping said materialbetween said top surface and said legs of said user selectable shapedstaple.
 33. The method as recited in claim 32, wherein said staplerhousing provides means for inserting a stick of user selectable shapedstaples and having means for moving said stick toward the guide housingassembly.
 34. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein said means formoving said stick of user selectable shaped staples and said means forreceiving said user selectable shaped staple comprises matingthroughbores in said stapler housing and said guide housing assembly.35. The method as recited in claim 31, wherein said means for releasablyfastening includes said stapler housing having means for docking saidguide housing assembly to said stapler housing.
 36. The method asrecited in claim 31, wherein said guide housing assembly includes: a.receiving means for positioning a user selectable shaped staple for thestapling application; b. alignment means for guiding the engagementmeans into engagement with the user selectable shaped staple; c.engagement means for engaging the top surface of the user selectableshaped staple during the stapling application; d. driving means formoving the engagement means into contact with the user selectable shapedstaple for the duration of the stapling application; and e. return meansfor moving the driving means and engagement means to a starting positionfor a stapling application.
 37. The method as recited in claim 36,wherein said receiving means includes a conduit for moving the userselectable staple from the staple magazine into the guide housingassembly.
 38. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein said receivingmeans includes a throughbore for moving said user selectable shapedstaple into engagement with the material being stapled.
 39. The methodas recited in claim 36, wherein said alignment means includes a housinghaving a throughbore conforming in shape to the engagement means. 40.The method as recited in claim 39, wherein the throughbore forms achannel for guiding the engagement means into contact with the topsurface of the user selectable shaped staple.
 41. The method as recitedin claim 36, wherein the engagement means having a top surface and abottom surface and whereby said bottom surface engages and applies auniform pressure across said user selectable shaped staple top surfaceduring the stapling application.
 42. The method as recited in claim 36,wherein said driving means includes a connection member between saiddriving means and said engagement means whereby pressure applied to saiddriving means moves said engagement means into contact with the userselectable staple during the stapling application.
 43. The method asrecited in claim 36, wherein said return means includes a tensioningmember for returning the driving means and engagement means to astarting position after pressure has been removed from the drivingmeans.
 44. The method as recited in claim 31, wherein the guide housingassembly has a receiving means, alignment means and engagement meansdesigned for application of a specific user selectable shaped staple.45. The method as recited in claim 45 wherein said receiving means,alignment means and engagement means are replaceable with alternatereceiving means, alignment means and engagement means with alternateuser selectable shaped staples.
 46. A user selectable shaped staplecomprising: a. a top surface forming a first binding element; and b. apair of legs positioned perpendicularly at each distal end of said topsurface forming a second binding element and wherein each leg forms apair of lancing elements culminating in a prong on each distal end. 47.The staple as recited in claim 46, wherein said top surface forms a userselectable image.
 48. The staple as recited in claim 46, wherein saidtop surface has indicia thereon.